Prophet Adam's Peak

A Buddha near the Foot Print of Prophet Adam (A.S) Jutting sharply skyward from the lush jungles of southwestern Sri Lanka is the 7362 foot (2243 meter) peak of Sri Pada, the 'Holy Footprint'. Also called Adam’s Peak, the mountain has the unique distinction of being sacred to the followers of four of the world's major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Long before the development of these religions, however, the mountain was worshipped by the aboriginal inhabitants of Sri Lanka, the Veddas. Their name for the peak was Samanala Kanda; Saman being one of the four guardian deities of the island. For Hindus, the name of the mountain is Sivan Adi Padham, because it was the world-creative dance of the god Shiva that left the giant footprint (5 feet 7 inches by 2 feet 6 inches). According to Buddhist traditions from as early as 300 BC, the real print is actually beneath this larger marking. Imprinted on a huge sapphire, it was left by the Buddha during the third and final of his legendary visits to Sri Lanka. When Portuguese Christians came to the island in the 16th century they claimed the impression to be the footprint of St. Thomas who, according to legend, first brought Christianity to Sri Lanka. But in fact, it is the footprint of Prophet Adam (A.S) where he stood for a thousand years of penance on one foot. When Prophet Adam (A.S) was expelled from heaven, God put him on the peak to make the shock less terrible - Ceylon being that place on earth closest to and most like heaven. The mountain is more easily seen from the sea than from land, and also more impressive. Early Arab seafarers fascinated with the pyramidal peak wrote of it as "the highest mountain in the world" (it is not even the highest in Sri Lanka), and "visible from three days sail". The ancient Sinhalese also believed it to be of great height and a native legend tells "from Seyllan to Paradise is forty miles, and the sound of the fountains of Paradise is heard here". Visited by many early world travelers, among them the Arab Ibn Batuta (1304-1368) and the Venetian Marco Polo (1254-1324), Adam’s Peak attained a legendary status as a mystic pilgrimage destination. Today the pilgrimage season commences in December and continues until the beginning of the monsoon rains in April (from May to October the mountain is obscurred by clouds). Certain parts of the path leading up the mountain are extremely steep and the climbing chains secured in these sections are said to have been placed by Alexander the Great (365-323 BC), though there is no evidence that he made it this far south on his Asia travels. Atop the peak is an oblong platform (74 x 24 feet) where stands a small Buddhist temple and the shrine of Saman with the strange footprint. Votive offerings are made here, especially of a coil of silver as long as the donor is tall, for recovery from sickness; and rain-water taken from the footprint is known to have a wonderful healing power. Adam’s Peak is also called Samanalakande or the 'butterfly mountain' because of the myriads of small butterflies that fly from all over the island to die upon the sacred mountain.

MIRACLES OF THE HOLY QURAN

THE FUSING AND SEPARATING OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH :How do modern scientists explain the formation of the universe? Dr. Maurice Bucaille explains it in his book, The Bible, the Qur'an and Science, as follows: "The basic process in the formation of the universe . . . Lay in the condensing of material in the primary nebula followed by its division into fragments that originally constituted galactic masses. The latter in their turn split up into stars that provided the subproduct of the process, i.e. the planets" (p. 149). Does the Qur'an say anything about this condensing and separation of the primary material to result in the formation of our universe? Let's have a look. The creator, Allah, says in his final book: "Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were fused together, then we separated them . . ." (Qur'an 21:30). Dr. Bucaille sees this as "the reference to a separation process of a primary single mass whose elements were initially fused together" (p.143). Thus the Qur'an gives an accurate account of the formation of the universe to call upon humankind to recognize the power of their creator. This raises an interesting question: How could a man living in the seventh century invent these ideas which could not be confirmed until modern times? And how could he in so doing avoid the mythical and fanciful ideas prevalent in human history? Dr. Bucaille mentions some of these myths for contrast: "When, as in Japan, the image of the egg plus an expression of chaos is attached to the above with the idea of a seed inside an egg (as for all eggs), the imaginative addition makes the concept lose all semblance of seriousness. In other countries, the idea of a plant is associated with it; the plant grows and in so doing raises up the sky and separates the heavens from the earth. Here again, the imaginative quality of the added detail lends the myth its very distinctive character" (p. 152). In contrast to those myths, the Qur'anic statements are "free from any of the whimsical details accompanying such beliefs; on the contrary, they are distinguished by the sober quality of the words in which they are made, and their agreement with scientific data" (p. 152). It must be that the Qur'an is not the product of any human or humans, but a revelation from Allah. The Qur'an says: "The revelation of the scripture whereof there is no doubt is from the Lord of the Worlds" (Qur'an 32:2). The Sun is a star that is roughly 4.5 billion years old, according to experts in astrophysics. It is possible to (distinguish a stage in its evolution, as one can for all the stars. At present, the Sun is at an early stage, characterized by the transformation of hydrogen atoms into helium atoms. Theoretically, this present stage should last another 5.5 billion years according to calculations that allow a total of 10 billion years for the duration of the primary stage in a star of this kind. It has already been shown, in the case of these other stars, that this stage gives way to a second period characterized by the completion of the transformation of hydrogen into helium, with the resulting expansion of its external layers and the cooling of the Sun. In the final stage, its light is greatly diminished and density considerably increased; this is to be observed in the type of star known as a 'white dwarf'. The above dates are only of interest in as far as they give a rough estimate of the time factor involved, what is worth remembering and is really the main point of the above, is the notion of an evolution. Modern data allow us to predict that, in a few billion years, the conditions prevailing in the solar system will not be the same as they are today. Like other stars whose transformations have been recorded until they reached their final stage, it is possible to predict an end to the Sun. The second verse quoted above (sura 36, verse 38) referred to the Sun running its course towards a place of its own. Modern astronomy has been able to locate it exactly and has even given it a name, the Solar Apex: the solar system is indeed evolving in space towards a point situated in the Constellation of Hercules (alpha lyrae) whose exact location is firmly established; it is moving at a speed already ascertained at something in the region of 12 miles per second. All these astronomical data deserve to be mentioned in relation to the two verses from the Qur'an. Since it is possible to state that they appear to agree perfectly with modern scientific data

PREDICTION OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (P.B.U.H) IN VARIOUS OTHER SCRIPTURES

DESCRIPTION OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) IN THE TAURAT DESCRIPTION OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD SALLALLAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM IN THE TAURAT AND INJEEL Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur'aan: "Those who will serve the Messenger, unlettered the Communicator of hidden news when they will find with them written in the Taurat and Injeel. He will bid them to do good and will forbid them from doing evil, and will make lawful for them clean things and will forbid for them unclean things, and will take off from them that burden and shackles which were upon them. Then those who believe in him and honour him and help him and follow that light which has been sent down with him, they are the persons who attained their objects."[Surah 7: Ayat 157] In the above mentioned verse Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says that those who wish for success in this world and in the next, should follow `the Rasool', `the Nabi' and `Ummi', three qualities or titles of the beloved Rasool Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam which are also mentioned in the Taurat and Injeel (bible). The meaning of `Rasool' is `messenger' and `Nabi' is `one who gives information of the unseen'. The meanings of these two words are well known, however, the word `Ummi' requires some discussion. In an authentic book of Tafseer (interpretation of the verses of the Holy Qur'aan), `Tafseer Ruhul Ma'ani', it is stated that one reason for `Ummi' being a title of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam is because one of the names of Makkah is "Ummul Kurah". Because he was born and lived in Makkah for so many years and because of his connection with the city and he was given the title of "Ummi" just as someone from Madina would be known as Madani or someone from Iraq would be known as Iraqi. Another meaning given in the same book is `one who has never learnt to read or write' under the guidance of a teacher. It would be that his condition would be as if his mother had just given birth to him. Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam was not taught by any human, angel or jinn, but by the Almighty, thus his knowledge is like an ocean and his teachings will always be pertinent, even till the Day of Judgement. The knowledge of Hazrat Adam Alaihis Salaam was also very wide and for this reason the angels were ordered to bow before him. As we are all aware, there are many languages in the world. Each one would have its own word to describe a particular thing. For example, in English we say water, in Arabic `maa', in Urdu `paani' and in Persian `aab'. In this manner the names of everything and the purpose of their creation were taught to Adam Alaihis Salaam. The great Ulama of Islam are of the opinion that the knowledge of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is like an ocean and the knowledge of the other Prophets (On them be peace) is like a drop of that ocean. Thus the knowledge of Adam Alaihis Salaam is like that of a drop in comparison to that of the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam To say that an ordinary person is "Ummi" would signify a default in his personality. To understand this point consider this: Pride is considered to be a bad quality in character, but when we say that Almighty Allah has pride it is His praise, likewise the word "Ummi" when used for the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam signifies his praise since without being educated by any worldly teacher he possesses knowledge about all creation. In the words "Those who find written about him in the Tauraat and Injeel" indicates to us that the personality of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam was discussed in the original, unchanged scriptures of the Jews and Christians. Imaam Jalaludeen Suyuti Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaihi narrates that the grandson of Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Salaam Radiyallahu Anhuma (Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Salaam Radiyallahu Anhu was a very learned Jewish scholar of that time) says: "I asked my grandfather about the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam and he explained that when he became aware of the presence of Nabi Alaihis Salaam in Makkah he left his homeland to go there and when he met the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam he was asked, `Are you Ibn Salaam? Are you the great scholar of the Jews?' He replied in the affirmative and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam asked him, taking the oath of Allah to answer the question truthfully, `Have you found my qualities described in the Book of Allah (Tauraat)?' Ibn Salaam replied, `I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah, and Allah will make you and your religion prevalent over the whole world. I have found your qualities in the Tauraat." The following verse was then read, `Oh giver of the unseen news, undoubtedly we have sent you as a witness, and a giver of glad-tidings, and a warner. You are my servant and Messenger, I have named you Mutawakil (one who has complete trust in Allah)....." [Al-Khasaaisul Kubra, Vol 1] Imaam Jalaludeen Suyuti Rahmatullahi Ta'ala Alaihi narrates that the uncle of our beloved Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam, Hazrat Abbas Radiyallahu Anhu once enquired from Kaabul Akhbaar a great Jewish scholar of his time why he accepted Islam during the time of Hazrat Umar Radiyallahu Anhu instead of in the time of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam or the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique Radiyallahu Anhu. He replied, "My father wrote something for me from the Tauraat, he closed it and thereafter he gave it to me, and said, `Act upon this and follow it.' My father made me promise to do as he said and not to open it until a difficult time comes. Time passed and Islam spread far and wide, and I found nothing but good in the religion and at that point I opened the letter and therein I found a description of the Holy Prophet Alaihis Salaam and his Ummah. Therefore I have come now and accepted Islam." Another Sahabi asked Ka'abul Akhbaar, "Have you found anything about our beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) in the Tauraat?" He said, "I have found written, `Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, his birth will be in Makkah and thereafter he will travel to Madina." In a Hadith narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu Anhu, our Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam said, "When Allah revealed the Tauraat to Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) and when he received the verses regarding this Ummah he prayed, `Oh Allah, I have found in the Tauraat that there will be an Ummah that will come last but yet their positon will be the best and intercession regarding them will be accepted, Oh Allah make them my Ummah.' Allah replied, `This is the Ummah of Muhammmad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam).' Thereafter Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) said, `Their holy scripture will be stored in their hearts and they will recite it from there, Oh Allah make them my Ummah.' Allah replied that, `This is the Ummah of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam).'Then Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) asked, `That Ummah that has knowledge of the past as well as future, Oh Allah, make them my Ummah.' Again Allah replied,`That is the Ummah of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)." From this, it is clear that the previous Ummahs were informed about the coming of our Beloved Rasool Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. How fortunate are we not that the status of this Ummah has also been described in the previous scriptures by virtue of being the followers of the Beloved of Allah, Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam.

THE INTELLECTUAL MOVEMENT BEFORE MUHAMMAD'S (Peace Be Upon Him) BIRTH

All the Scriptures foretold of the appearance of a prophet of Ismail’s offspring from the mountainous area of Tohama. The Jewa were expecting his appearance. In the year 71 A.D the jews rebelled against the Romana in “ Iliya”[Jerusalem]. And as a consequence, the Jews, sacred temple was demolished by the Roman commander Titus.and a large number of them were driven out of the land. Some of them headed for Yathirb, Madina, and its outskirts, and they were members of the tribes of Qurayzah, Al-Nadir, Qinaqa, Khybarand others. The flocks of jews went to that part of the land because they were sure, as their Books asserted, that a new prophet would be raised there, and that the religion he was destined to preach will spread everywhere, from the city of Yathrib. They desired to live close to that prophet and to lend him support in the hope that he might restore to them the status they had lost in Jerusalem. Later, the Jews, anticipating assistance from the prophet Muhammad, prayed for their victory against their foes, the Aus and the Khazraj. But when the prophet preached the Message, that their Scripture spoke of, they rejected both the prophet and hid Message. Alluding to this Allah says: “And when there comes to them a Book from God, confirming what is with them,-although from of old, they had prayed for victory against those without Faith, when there comes to them that which they [should] have recognized, they refuse to believe in it, but the curse of God is on those without Faith“. He also says: “And if the apostle were to invent any sayings in Our name, we should certainly seize him by his right hand, and We should certainly then cut off artery of this heart; not could any of you withhold him [from Our wrath].” Even Jesus Christ had foretold, as stated in the Gospel, of the appearance of the prophet Muhammad, Confirming this report, the Holy Qur’an says: “And remember Jesus, the son of Mary said: O, Children of Israel: I am the apostle of Good [sent] to you, confirming the Law [which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of an Apostle to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad” Salman, the Persian, was close to a priest who used to repeat to him that a Messenger by the name of Ahmad will be raised by Allah from the passes of mount Tohama, and that he will be known for accepting only a gift and refusing charity . And this was the reason why Salman converted to Islam. Jesus Christ, as the Gospel of Mathew says, prophesied the rise of Muhammad (PBUH) as a prophet. He dhim the stone put by the Lord on the top of the building; he told his people that the kingdom of the Israelites will disappear, giving place to another nation, the Muslims. Whoever falls on this stone will suffer bruises, and whomever the stone might fall own on will certainly be crushed. And because the followers of the Scriptures knew beforehand of the appearance of Muhammad (PBUH) as a Prophet, his letters, which were later sent to their kings and rulers, had albeen received by them with respect and esteem, and esteem, and their receipt had always been acknowledged nicely. The Roman Emperor of the time was about to convert to Islam had it not been for his people who rebelled against him when he called them to have faith in the prophet Muhammad.

INTRODUCTION

Muhammad before Taking Office of Prophethood Muhammad (PBUH) is the son of Abdullah, son of Abdul Muttaleb, of the Arab clan of Banu Hashem of the tribe of Quraish, one of the ancient, noblest and most dignified tribes of the land. It was known for its valour, hospitality, influence and eloquence. Muhammad’s nobility derived its roots from both his father’s and his mother’s lineage. He is a descendent of Adnan. And the grandson of Ismail, son of Ibrahim. No one of Ismail’s progeny became a prophet except Muhammad. The Imam Moslem quotes the prophet Muhammad, on the authority of wa’ilah ibn al-Asq’. As having said: “Allah has singled out Kenanah from the progeny of Ismail: the Quraishites from Kenanah: the Banu Hashem from the Quraish: and myself from the Banu Hashem“. Muhammad, may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him, was born in the “Elephant Year“, during which time Abraha the Abyssinian, ruler of Yemen, was delegated by the Negus to go to Arabia to destroy the Ka’bah. But it was this man and his army who were destroyed instead in an unprecedented manner. Describing this incident Allah says: “Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the companions of the Elephant? Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray? And He sent against them flights of birds, striking them with stoner of backed clay. Then did He make an empty field of stalks and straw, [of which the corn] has been eaten up.” This was an indication that a new prophet would be raised and that the Ka’bah will be the place towards which he and his nation should turn their faces in prayers. Muhammad (PBUH) was the sole son of his father Abdullah; and this was decreed so that upon him alone should the blessing of his two grand-fathers, Ibrahim and Ismail, should be bestowed Mohammed’s father died when he was still an embryo in his mother’s womb. When he was five years old, he lost his mother while both of them were on their way back to Makkah after a visit they paid to his paternal uncles, the Banu Adiy bin al-Nijar in Madinah. The mother died at a place called al-Abwa. Asma, daughter of Rahm,quotes her mother, as reported by Al-Zohari, as having said: “ I have seen Amna, the mother of the prophet . in her illness in which she died. Muhammad (PBUH) was five years old, and he was sitting all the time at her head. Lookinatherself, Amna would say: “Every living is to die; and every new thing will wear out. I shall pass away, but my name will last. I am leaving behind me goodness, and I had given birth to a pure. After saying this, she died”. Muhammad (PBUH) was then brought up in the loving care of his grand-father Abdul Muttaleb, the leader of Quraish. And when Muhammad (PBUH) was eight years old, the grandfather died, after which the boy was brought up his uncle Abu Taleb, who took the lead of Quraish.But despite the fact that Muhammad (PBUH) was brought up in orphanhood, he was active, energetic, weary of mean things. He was of a high spirit, of good behavior, and was serious in managing matters. He never indulged in children quarrels or noisy games, and never had he behaved like anyone of his age; he was reared in the institution of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent, Who decreed that Muhammad (PBUH) was to be the last in the line of prophets and messengers. All his life, Muhammad (PBUH) remained under the guard and care of Allah, always blessed with His favor and benignity. Once, his nurse, Halimah, of the tribe of Banu Sa’d, took the lad to spend sometime amidst her kin. Though they were suffering a season of drought, the land, unexpectedly, turned into a fertile space, with plenty of crops coming out everywhere. Herds returned from grazing with full stomachs and much of milk, while the sheep of their neighbouring lands remained hungry, with no milk in their udders, And it happened that even when the other people’s sheep grazed on Halimah’s pasture, they still failed to produce milk. Ibn’Asaker quotes Jalhamah ibn Arfatah as narrating the following story: “Once I visited Makkah at a time of scarcity. The Quraishites approached Abu Taleb, saying: O,Abu Taleb; the valley has become barren and the young children hungry. Go forth and pray for water for the people’ .Abu Taleb headad for the Ka’bah, taking with him a young boy [Muhammad], who was radiant in face like a sun. Abu Taleb made the boy stand with his back close to the Ka’bah , The boy lifted his his hinger towards the sky, which was cloudless. But soon clouds appeared in the sky and rains fell down heavily. The valley became fertile and crops were harvested later”. Muhammad (PBUH) accompanied his uncle Abu Taleb on two journeys to Syria, once when he was twelve years old, and secondly, when he was eighteen. On both the journeys, significant indications and unusual things were observed. Of all the travelers it was Muhammad (PBUH) alone who was overshadowed by a cloud. All inanimates used to greet him wherever he passed them. When he was seen by Bihairah, the monk, he embraced him, declaring that he was the prophet of whom the Torah had foretold; and the monk asked the boy’s uncle to protect him from the Jews. Muhammad (PBUH) was known amongst his people for his truthfulness, honesty and prudence. And for these qualities he was called by them “Al-Amin,” the Trusty. Being so known among the Arabs, he was given by Khadijah the charge of a caravan conveying merchandise to Syria. On this journey, he was accompanied by Khadijah’s servant, Maysarah, who, being close to Muhammad, saw for himself the nobility of his behavior and the supernatural phenomena that he had never seen the like before On Muhammad’s return, Khadijah, who was of noble lineage and wealthy, was so pleased with his successful management of her business, was so attracted by his nobility, of character, reports about which she heard from her old servant who had accompanied Muhammad (PBUH) on his journey, that she offered the young man her hand, Muhammad (PBUH) then went with his uncle Abu Taleb to Khadijah’s uncle Amr ibn Asad to finalize the procedures of marriage. All Muhammad’s sons were mothered by Khadijah except Ibrahim who was born to his other wife Maria, the Copt. When Muhammad (PBUH) reached thirty-five rears of age, the Quraish re-constructed the ka’bah but a dispute arose among the tribe’s chieftains as to who was to place the Black Stone in is proper place in the ka’bah. The dispute lasted four nights, and it threatened to plunge the different clans of Quraish into war. The eldest chief amongst them was Abu Umayah ibn al-Mughira, of Banu Makhzoum, the uncle of Khaled ibn al-waleed, and he proposed that the dispute should be settled by arbitration. They accepted the idea and proposed that the first man to enter the Ka,bah should be the arbitrator. And the man was Muhammad; and because he was popularly known for his equity, good reasoning and honesty, all the chiefs accepted the Amin to be the arbitrator. They had sought his decision on several matters before, and he was always just, fair and unprejudicial. He stretched his robe and asked each clan to hold one of its sides after placing the Stone on it. When the garment was lifted up by them, he took the Stone by his hands and inserted it in its place. And thus the sagacious arbitration of Muhammad (PBUH) saved the situation and settled the dispute to everyone’s satisfaction. Even after he had been entrusted with the Divine Message, his opponents, who rejected the Meassage, could not deny his good qualities. One of Muhammad’s arch-enemies, Al-Nadr ibn al-Harth, of Banu Abdul Darr, could say nothing to the pilgrims but to chant the praises of the Prophet. He went further and rejected the plea that he was an enchanter. When Hercules, King of the Romans, asked Abu Sufyan once: Did you charge Muhammad (PBUH) as a liar before he brought you the Message? The man said: No Hercules said: If he has never lied to men, how could he then tell lies about Allah?